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Star (Christchurch), Issue 11215, 22 October 1914, Page 4

THE CRY OF THE BELGIAN CHILDREN. What did we know of War, its rights and wrongs? Wo heard it named but gave it not a thought. Gaily we Hang our patriotic songs, And with imaginary Germans fought. Wo manned our forts of mud against attack, ' And, childlike, revelled in tho dust and grime, Driving oar. fancied foes with fury back, Guarding our homes. Kaiser, was this a crime?

Nearer It drew, but little did we care; When Father left we watched hinj march away, Envied his uniform and martial air, Then marched ourselves to meet the foe, in play. Only tho look of grief on Mother's face Oaused vague unrest tvithiri our hearts to stir, And, clumsily, with kiss and fond embrace We did our very best to comfort her.

And then It came, and with it Terror tense And Firo and Blood, blighting with its foul breath All that we knew of lovo and innocence } . Teaching us Pain and Death, and worse than Death. Mother and sister batchored 'neath oar eyes, Crimes that our minds, thank God, could never guess. Screening his firing lino our childhood dies To meet the War Lord's call for " frightfulness."

Kaiser, when' soon or late your hoar shall coino. And at God's Throne you, suppliant, bend the knee, Think you those prattling voices will be dumb Which now a,ro silonced by your dread decree? When boastful pride is turned to abject dread What bid for mercy will you make, what plea? Facing the righteous wrath of Him, Who said : " Suffer the little- ones to com© to Me." A. R. Hamilton.